February Week 3 Quotes: FT's Top News From Around The Globe

Bizzare crotch grabbing celebration at the Wanda Metropolitano, Spain

“It means we have balls, a lot of balls. To start [Diego] Costa and Koke after they hadn't played for a month takes balls. I did it as a player in Lazio-Bologna and I did it again to show our fans that we have cojones. It wasn't aimed at the other team, I was turning towards our own supporters. It's not a nice gesture, I'll admit, but I felt the need to do it. It was such a tough game, we fought so hard and Diego Costa worked really hard when he wasn't 100 percent fit. I had to show what I was feeling. I can only apologise if anyone was offended, but I did it from the heart.” - Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid Manager

After Atletico Madrid 2-0 first leg win over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League round of 16

Diego Simeone, Manager of Atletico Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 20, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

(Feb. 19, 2019 - Source: Angel Martinez/Getty Images Europe)

Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United looks on during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group H match against Juventus at Aon Training Complex on October 22, 2018 in Manchester, England.

(Oct. 21, 2018 - Source: Jan Kruger/Getty Images Europe)

Mourinho’s new found off-the-pitch bromance with Arsene Wenger continues

“And we were like a third force coming. Chelsea had a great desire to be champions for the first time in so many years. So, of course, it was the confrontation of forces and you can imagine that Sir Alex, Wenger and myself we were fighting for the same. We were like, I like to say in football, 'sweet enemies.'” - Jose Mourinho, Former Manchester United Manager

Jose’s comments on the former Arsenal Manager upon him winning the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award

Ikenna Martin “Ike” Opara joins MLS’s Minnesota United

“I finally invested in a proper outerwear jacket. It's amazing how comfortable and warm those things are. You don't actually realize how cold it is here.” - Ikenna Opara, Minnesota United Defender

Ike, a native of North Carolina speaks on his recent switch to Minnesota from Sporting Kansas City

South Africa’s Women national team intensifies 2019 World Cup Preparations

“We are back in camp to continue with preparations for the World Cup, and as we approach the start of the Cyprus Cup, this indicates we are edging closer and closer to our maiden World Cup tournament. We will be playing four top quality matches in Cyprus and at the end of the tournament we will not only know how far we are in terms of preparations but also which players will be ready for the World Cup.” - Desiree Ellis, South Africa Women’s National Team Coach

Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis on the team’s preparation plan for the Francen 2019 finals to be held between 7 June  and 7 July

Sadio Mane of Liverpool reacts during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on September 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 17, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Sadio Mane’s home burgled while playing a champions league match against Bayern Munich

“While the occupants were not present at the time of the incident this will no doubt be a distressing experience for them and I would ask the offenders to do the right thing and return the stolen items to the owner in any way possible.We know the watches in particular are of significant monetary value and I would also like to appeal to anyone who might have been offered the items for sale since the burglary to contact police.” - Merseyside Police Detective Inspector
Detective Inspector Phil Mahon of Merseyside Police’s preliminary comments after the incident. This happens to be the second time, the Senegalese’s house gets burgaled after a similar incident occurred while away on champions league duty at Maribor in 2017. Mane joins a growing list of footballers falling victims to burglary as three of Lyon’s players suffered the same fate while they were playing Barcelona on Tuesday and PSG players who have had to deal with the same in recent years.